Better Nigeria: Much Ado About ‘National Dialogue’

By Kema Ufelle

Having spent the better half of my productive years in a seemingly endless search for the proverbial greener pastures, I would consider myself, albeit ashamedly, as somewhat of an authority on matters bordering on comparative analysis of best living conditions among countries of the world.

While in search for this utopian good life, I often pause to realize the unique crop of creation we really are as Nigerians. This uniqueness has lulled me into the irresistible conclusion that we are indeed the happiest conurbation of persons on earth. The headlines that attract our collective vents of passion never seem to hesitate in taking their turns. We, as it were, seem to solidify our ties as a nation when we have these ‘opportunities’ to express ourselves in heated arguments over these ‘national issues’, as we endlessly argue during every encounter we have with both friends and foes.

Today it is ‘fuel subsidy’; tomorrow it is ‘occupy Nigeria’ and the next day, it is ‘ASUU Strike’. The streets will go agog; the newspaper-stands will turn to policy making centres; the apolitical will suddenly become political juggernauts while overnight, the ignorant will become self-appointed road-side policy instructors.

Of course, making the rounds today is the fuzz about the ‘National Dialogue’; and suddenly everyone has a voice…well, as do I.

Several questions run through my mind as I ponder over the clamour by a few, including Mr. President, for a national dialogue. To what ends will the national dialogue be geared? Are there issues to be discussed in the national dialogue that are beyond those for which we had waited on endless queues to vote our elected lawmakers into office?

The answers to these questions would ordinarily suggest where I am going with this.

I can think of no better reason why Nigerians would clamour for a national dialogue than ignorance. Ignorance of the fact that the decisions that would be generated from the dialogue would, at best, be advisory. Ignorance of the fact that the persons who would be selected to represent their perceived interests would be nominated by the Governors, who would be responsible for their feeding, accommodation and of course, their views, while in Abuja. Ignorance of the fact that Nigeria has in the past decade, made a foiled attempt at such a national discourse. Ignorance of the fact that a national discourse coming at a time when insatiable interests are at a peak will unnecessarily trigger acrimony and over-heat the polity.

It fails to stand to reason how a people can lose hope in their duly elected legislators and rather seek solace in an unconstitutional, inexperienced body of persons with purely sectarian interests who will decide on select core laws that would inadvertently suit the interests of those who nominated them.

To borrow a proverb from our native folklores, it is said concerning the chicken that was abandoned by her mother, that she does not go about seeking for a replacement for the mother. In the circumstance, two options are available to the poor chicken with whom we must empathise: our dear chicken can either make the best out of her current situation or go in search of her mother.

This clamour is a slap on the faces of our legislators, who have abandoned their young. They should awake from their slumber and be actively involved in public hearings; from where the collective views of the people can be distilled.

The voices of the people are crying out and are in need of listening ears. Sadly, the national dialogue is not the messiah we seek. Our elected legislators are, and must demonstrate proactiveness and sincerity of purpose in the ongoing constitution amendment debacle. Only then will we proudly frame a constitution of our making and live as one strong indivisible nation under God.

Kema Ufelle is a Lawyer, he writes from Abuja.